Finger moistener



G.w.10NEs. FINGER MOISTENER.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZI, 1920.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

. INVENTOR.

6.W.J ones.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GRIFFIN WILLIAMS JONES, OF' TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

FINGER MOISTENER.

' Specification of Letters Patent. Vpatqlglltd Apr. 11, 1922.

y'Application filed May 21, 1920. Serial No. 383,128.

'10 tion is to devise a linger moistener which will rbe applicable to the uses of persons counting bank notes wherein the thumb and index finger must be moistened. A further object is to construct a finger moistener. of

15 the kind indicatedwhich will be always moist and not become dry through failure of the water to permeate the sponge or other moistening medium.

My inventionI consistsV of a container hav- 20 ing suitable bearing apertures situated in the sides of the interior intermediately of the height of the same` an expandible and contractible spindle divided into two portions, flanges mounted thereon, trunnions on the 25 flanges and a sponge adapted to be retained on the spindle between the aforesaid flanges, all as hereinafter more particularly described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which z- Fig. l represents a side elevation of a finger moistener constructed according to my invention showing the same partly in section. A

Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional detail showing the spindle construction and the means for securing the ends to the flanges.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan of the spindle and flanges.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the sponge showing the central slit in the same through r which the spindle is inserted, and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of a modified form of spindle in which a leaf spring is used for holding the same in the expanded position.

Like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different views.

l is the container provided with a suitable concaved flange or gutter 2 surrounding the portion of the spindle provided with the upturned side edges 5. 6 is the other portion of the spindle having the longitudinal slot' '7 therein.V 8 is a rivet extending through the slot 7 in the portion G into the portion et and Vslidably connecting the two portions together. l5 and 9 are oppositely bent lugs formed on the outer ends of the portions a and 6.

l() are flanges suitablyL secured to the portions and (3 by the lugs l5 and 9 which are riveted or lotherwise secured thereto. ll are vthe trunnions suitably secured to the flanges lO or formed thereon. l2 (Fig. 6) is a leaf spring suitably secured at one end to thc vportion l and at the other end to the portion 6.

The sponge 13 is placed on the spindle by inserting the one portion thereof through the slit 14; and then securing the portions together by the rivet 8, or if desired, the slit may be stretched and the sponge forced over the fiange l() into its proper position. This can easily be achieved owing to the resiliency of the sponge which is preferably constructed of rubber.

The sponge is so designed as to be of slightly greater width than the distance between the two flanges l0 so that when it is applied to the spindle it will be under a certain amount of compression and will thus continually bear on the lianges l0 and will keep the spindle in the expanded position as shown in Fig. 2.

In order to apply the sponge to the container the flanges 10 are grasped between the thumb and forefinger and pressed towards each other. This will cause the spindle to contract sufficiently to permit the trunnions ll to clear the interior of the container l. lVhen they register with the apertures 3 the pressure on the fianges is removed and the spindle will be sprung into the expanded position by the resiliency of the sponge and thus the trunnions will be inserted into such apertures 3.

In order to operate the device the sponge is turned a certain extent as required. This will cause the moistened portion of the sponge to be turned to the top, when the operator can moisten his lingers thereon with ease.

The sponge can be removed from the container, by contracting the spindle as above indicated and withdrawing the sponge and spindle from the container.

While l have described my invention as particularly applied for use in counting notes, it is to be understood that it could with equal facility be applied as an envelope moistener or for moistening stamps or other similar articles.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6 a spring l2 is used for normally retaining the spindle in the expanded position and this would be essential where a moistening medium is used which does not possess the resiliency of a rubber sponge.

I have shown my container as constructed of substantially rectangular shape but it could with equal facility be constructed of circular or oval shape and in this case the sponge would preferably be applied to a cap secured to the top of such container.

That I claim as my invention is l. In a finger moistener, the combination with the liquid container having enclosed bearing apertures situated in the interior thereof interniediately of the heightof the same, of a spindle comprising two portions and inner ends slidably connected together, flanges secured to the free ends of the said portions, trun'nions secured to the` outer faces of the said anges, a moistening medium, of resilient material situated on the spindle between tlie flanges, said trunnions inserted into the bearing apertures in the container and the sides of the said moistening medium normally bearing againstthe flanges and retaining the trunnions thereon in the aforesaid apertures.

2. In a finger moistener, the combination with the liquid container, having enclosed bearing apertures situated in the interior thereof intermediately of the height of the same, of a Vcircular sponge of resilient material having a central slit therein, a spindle comprising two portions slidably connected together, flanges secured to the free ends of the portions, trunnions secured to the outer faces of the iianges, the portions of the said spindle extending through the slit in the sponge, said'sponge normally holding the spindle in the expanded position, and the trunnions Vin the aforesaid apertures.

3. In a finger nioistener, a moistening medium comprising a spindle divided into two port-ions suitably connected together, one portion having upwardly turned side edges,

flanges, oppositely bent lugs formed on the free ends of the'spindle portions, said lugs securing the flanges to the portions, trimnions on the outer faces of the portions and a sponge of resilient material retained on the spindle between the said flanges.

GRIFFIN WILLIAMS JONES 

